SSD benefits and key areas with mental functioning for a claim

For Georgia residents who are suffering from a neurological disorder or injury that impacts their mental and psychological functioning, it can be difficult to maintain a job and perform the necessities of everyday life. This will inevitably result in financial concerns as treatment must be provided and the basic abilities will be hindered. An inability to work and the medical treatment requirements might make it viable to seek Social Security disability benefits.

When the Social Security Administration assesses a claim, it will consider various aspects including the applicant’s mental functioning. It is important to understand these areas when applying. With mental functioning, there are four aspects: the ability to understand, remember or apply information; how the person interacts with others; the ability to concentrate, persist or maintain pace; and the ability to adapt and manage him or herself.

A person’s capabilities with understanding, remember or applying information is integral to most jobs. If there are terms that should be understood, learned or instructions must be followed; if work activities must be described and shown to others; if a mistake must be recognized and corrected; if problems must be solved; and if work-based determinations must be made, all will fall into this category. In almost every job, the person must interact with others effectively and appropriately. That will include a supervisor, co-workers and customers. It is generally necessary to cooperate, coordinate, maintain a conversation, be responsive to social cues of all kinds, answer requests, accept criticism and correction, and avoid being argumentative, irritable, sensitive or suspicious.

For concentration, persistence and pace, the person must be able to focus his or her attention on the current activities and maintain work on the task at a consistent rate. That includes beginning and working on a task that he or she understands and can do, completing it in a reasonable timeframe, avoiding any distractions, adjusting to different work settings sans disruption, and completing a full day of work without the need for extended rest or breaks. Adapting and self-management include controlling emotions and behavior, an effective response to demands, handling psychological symptoms, gauging and adhering to acceptable and unacceptable performance of jobs, and having proper hygiene and work clothing.

Those with neurological or psychological issues must be aware of the requirements for getting disability benefits. Part of that is the areas of mental functioning and how it will apply to a work environment. A law firm that has helped many people with their Social Security disability claims can assist in gathering the necessary evidence to get SSD benefits and should be called immediately for advice.

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